Tackling Antisemitism in Sport
Maccabi GB's 'Tackling Antisemitism in Sport' project launched in September 2023 in partnership with the Office of HM Government's Independent Adviser on Antisemitism. The project is actively addressing antisemitism within the realm of British sports, initially concentrating on the football pyramid. The initiative seeks to explore educational opportunities as part of governing bodies' equality and diversity training networks. The Project's goal is to involve Sports Clubs, Organisations, Leagues, and more in educating themselves about the historical context and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism. Through this, it aims to empower these entities with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognise and combat antisemitism within a sporting environment.
The Statistics
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In the 2022/23 season, Kick It Out received a record 1,007 reports of discriminatory behaviour across the football pyramid.
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96 reports of antisemitic incidents in professional football from January 2022 - December 2023.
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In grassroots football, children as young as 7 have been targeted with antisemitic abuse.
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Over 50% of incidents in 2022 were targeted at Tottenham Hotspur or their fans.
Recent Work
Burnley – Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop - 27th February 2024
We delivered our 'antisemitism in football' workshop at Turf Moor for the staff teams at Burnley Football Club.
We were invited to deliver this session by The Fed, who had Holocaust Survivor, Ike Alterman speak to the group.
Ike's story was truly inspirational and it was an honour to be able to speak about contemporary antisemitism in the same event as Ike.
Bolton Wanderers – Regional Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop – 23rd February 2024
We delivered our 'antisemitism in football' workshop at the Toughsheet Community Stadium for key personnel from local clubs and County FAs.
The participants included representatives from Bolton Wanderers, Salford City, Walsall, Mansfield Town, Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, and more.
The feedback on the workshop was overwhelmingly positive, and given the proximity to Manchester which holds the second-largest Jewish community in the UK, the participants found the workshop to be extremely relevant and informative.
Crystal Palace – Regional Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop - 6th February 2024
We delivered our 'Antisemitism in Football' workshop at Selhurst Park Stadium for key personnel from local clubs and County FAs.
The participants included representatives from Crystal Palace, Millwall, Charlton Athletic, Northampton Town, QPR, and the Hampshire FA.
The workshop was well-received and participant engagement was extremely positive. We have since scheduled internal workshops for several of the visiting clubs and FAs.
Leeds United – Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop for Stewards and Ground Staff,
1st February 2024
We delivered our 'antisemitism in football' workshop Elland Road Stadium for over 200 members of the steward and ground staff teams at Leeds United Football Club.
The workshop focussed identifying and explaining the antisemitic signs, banners, chants and verbal abuse that have previously been seen and heard on a match day.
The feedback for the session was overwhelmingly positive, both from the participants and the club as organisers.
Arsenal – Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop for Steward Supervisors,
16th January 2024
We delivered our 'Antisemitism in Football' workshop at the Emirates Stadium for the steward supervising team at Arsenal Football Club.
The workshop was slightly different from our core workshop, with more attention being placed on antisemitic signs, banners and flags, as well as common chants and abusive language that is often heard at football stadiums.
Given Arsenal's large Jewish following, this workshop was deemed particularly necessary so that Jewish fans feel that the Emirates is an inclusive space where they can celebrate their identity without being targeted in any way.
Chelsea – Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop, 12th January 2024
We delivered our 'antisemitism in football' workshop for the EDI and Education teams at Chelsea Football Club, who requested the session in advance of Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on 27th January 2024.
The workshop was well-received by the attendees who were particularly interested in how the Holocaust impacted Jewish people in football.
"THANK YOU for your support that was a great session!" Alfie Butwell, ED&I Manager, Chelsea Football Club
Brentford – Regional Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop, 19th December 2023
On Tuesday 19th December 2023, our 'Tackling Antisemitism in Sport' project manager provided a training workshop on antisemitism in football for EDI leads and other key personnel from football clubs and county FAs, hosted by Brentford Football Club.
The workshop engaged policymakers in equality, diversity and inclusion, discussed signs and symbols to look out for and how to deal with the issue of antisemitism in a football-context.
"It was such a valuable and insightful session." Kaammini Chanrai, Brentford FC, Equality and Inclusion Director.
AFC Bournemouth – Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop, 14th December 2023
On Thursday 14th December 2023, our 'Tackling Antisemitism in Sport' project manager provided training workshops on antisemitism for staff teams and the U18 academy squad at AFC Bournemouth.
The workshop discussed real-life scenarios and provided information that could be carried forward by the participants into professional playing careers.
"The sessions were really informative and offered a great chance for people to engage." Hannah Powis, AFC Bournemouth, EDI Manager.
Suffolk FA – Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop, 22nd November 2023
On Wednesday 22nd November, our 'Tackling Antisemitism in Sport' project manager provided a training workshop on antisemitism for the full staff team at Suffolk County Football Association.
The workshop emphasised the issue of antisemitism in grassroots football, how to deal with any incidents and best practice on tackling this form of discrimination in the future.
The participants found the workshop to be "extremely enlightening and informative", with some of the participants having not previously been educated on Jewish life in Great Britain.
Leeds United – Regional Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop, 20th November 2023
Our 'Tackling Antisemitism in Sport' project manager presented our 'Antisemitism in Football' workshop at the Kick It Out and Office of HM Government's Advisor on Antisemitism's antisemitism training workshop, hosted by Leeds United Football Club at Elland Road Stadium.
The presentation discussed incidents of antisemitism in professional and grassroots football, and how to recognise antisemitism in the sport and in wider society.
Participants included Equality, Diversity and Inclusion officers, as well as other key personnel, from club around the North of England, including Leeds United, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and more. Also in attendance were representatives from the West Riding County Football Association.
The workshop was very well-received with clubs and FAs keen to provide further antisemitism education for their wider staff and playing teams in the near future.
Chelsea – 'Standing Together' Program, 6th October 2023 and 19th January 2024
The ‘Tackling Antisemitism in Sport’ project were invited to present our workshop alongside the StandUp! team to Year 8 and Year 9 students from surrounding secondary schools about antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.
Funded by the Mayor of London’s Shared Endeavour Fund, the ‘Standing Together’ project aims to tackle racism, hate, intolerance and extremism.
The workshop was well-received, and the team invited back to present to another group of students in January 2024.
Chelsea – Regional Antisemitism in Football Training Workshop, 19th September 2023
Kick It Out, in partnership with the Office of HM Government's Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, hosted a brilliant antisemitism training workshop at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea Football Club. The newly established Maccabi GB 'Tackling antisemitism in football' project team attended the event.
Keynote speakers, Lord Mann and a representative from CST, discussed a range of issues facing professional and grassroots football, from the history of Antisemitism as the world’s oldest hatred, to the modern manifestations of Antisemitism, and how to tackle the issue when it arises in football.
The attendees included Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officers from Fulham F.C, Arsenal, Gillingham and Chelsea, as well as representatives from Suffolk FA and the PFA.
The workshop was well-received and left the attendees eager to carry their knowledge back to their respective clubs and FAs.
